Republicans warn of potential Medicaid impacts - WDRB 41 Louisville - News, Weather, Sports Community

Republicans warn of potential Medicaid impacts

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FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) -- House Republican Leader Jeff Hoover is calling on Gov. Steve Beshear to opt out of one of the more expensive provisions of the federal health care reforms -- opening the state's Medicaid program to more people.

Senate Republicans said doing so could add $500 million in costs to the program that traditionally has served the poor, elderly and disabled.

Beshear has said he hasn't yet a made a decision.

The additional Medicaid costs could jeopardize the state's ability to pay for other government services.

Under the health care reforms, the federal government would initially cover the increased Medicaid costs. But in future years, part of that cost would shift back to the state.

Hoover said that would leave lawmakers with the decision to cut other state programs or raise taxes.

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    Thanks to a grant from Norton Healthcare, this story and others are available in real-time closed captioning on WDRB.